Study on the Preparation of Polycaprolactone/chitosan Nerve Conduit Combined with Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Promote Sciatic Nerve Injury Repair in Rats

Abstract

Objective: To observe the effects of polycaprolactone /chitosan( PCL /CS) nerve conduit combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells( BMSCs) for repairing sciatic nerve defect in rats. Methods: Twenty four SD rats were made a model of 5mm right sciatic nerve defect in length and were randomly divided into four groups,group A: PCL / CS nerve conduit combined with BMSCs transplantation; group B: PCL nerve conduit combined with BMSCs transplantation; group C: CS nerve conduit combined with BMSCs transplantation; group D: autograft nerve. Sciatic function index( SFI) was evaluated every 2 weeks after surgery and tests of electrophysiology, the weight ratio of the gastrocnemius muscles, histological observation and immunohistochemistry were performed at 12 weeks postimplantation. Results: The recovery rate of motor function of group A was higher in comparison to group B and C but lower than that of group D as revealed by an SFI score. Compared the test results of electrophysiology and the weight ratio of the gastrocnemius muscles in group A with that in group C and D,there were not statistically significant( P 0. 05),but that in group A better than that in group B( P 0. 05). Histological observation: the regenerative nerve of group A lined up intensively. S-100 protein immunohistochemistry showed there were much more regenerating Schwann cells in group A. Conclusion: PCL / CS nerve conduit combined with BMSCs can promote peripheral nerve injury repair and its result is the same as CS nerve conduit and autograft nerve but better than PCL nerve conduit.